Public call for new show of Silver Hill plans

CITY councillors want another public exhibition in Winchester of the Silver Hill plans before a crucial decision is made on allowing the developer to submit a new planning application.

Developer Henderson proposes to alter the scheme given approval in 2009 and the Cabinet on July 10 is due to decide on whether to let the application be made.

Henderson want to cut out any affordable housing and shelve a new bus station, attracting much controversy.

But councillors at the Town Forum voted that there should be another public display of the new proposals and a debate at a full meeting of Council. There was cross-party support for a resolution by Cllr Martin Tod.

Cllr Tod said: “I’m concerned we could end up having a cabinet meeting without the public having had the chance to consider the final proposals.”

The council has responded by announcing the new plans will be on display on July 12-13 at a venue to be confirmed.

There was a two-day public consultation in March but it was arranged at short notice with many interested people unaware.

City councillor Kim Gottlieb has recently started a campaign Winchester Deserves Better to reduce the size of the £150 million scheme. The main building will be six or seven storeys tall.

Corporate director Steve Tilbury said the Cabinet decision was the council acting only as a landowner and will not affect the council’s later planning decision. “they are two separate decision,” he said. There will be public consultation as part of the planning application.

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Cllr Richard Sanders said July 10 was a crucial day. He said if Cabinet give permission to Henderson to submit a planning application they give up a position of strength. “The council has absolute discretion to say you cannot do that. If Henderson say we don’t want a bus station, we can say we do want a bus station. They don’t want affordable housing. We do want affordable housing. We can tell Henderson to poke it.”

Silver Hill will next be discussed at the overview of scrutiny committee on July 7, at Cabinet on July 10 and then full Council on July 16.

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Comments (2)

" If Henderson say we don’t want a bus station, we can say we do want a bus station." The council SHOULD be dictating what is being built NOT a private developer. Any new exhibition must show a scale model showing the full development area with a wide range around so people can appreciate the massing in relation to existing buildings.

" If Henderson say we don’t want a bus station, we can say we do want a bus station."
The council SHOULD be dictating what is being built NOT a private developer.
Any new exhibition must show a scale model showing the full development area with a wide range around so people can appreciate the massing in relation to existing buildings.jonone

" If Henderson say we don’t want a bus station, we can say we do want a bus station." The council SHOULD be dictating what is being built NOT a private developer. Any new exhibition must show a scale model showing the full development area with a wide range around so people can appreciate the massing in relation to existing buildings.

Score: 8

Wreyland says...6:57pm Tue 8 Jul 14

I am disabled (my disability is non visible so understandably I get no help at street bus stops) and strongly feel that Winchester needs a bus station. It is very convenient to change buses without walking very far at a bus station - to be able to sit in peace and shelter while waiting. Street stops have insufficient seats and you get cold and wet most days in winter. The bus station also is naturally supervised at a low level by staff passing through, so it feels safe if you are at all vulnerable.. Above all, shelters on the streets are ugly and ruin the nationally important historic views of our streets and buildings. I implore City Councillors to remember that they represent local residents and meet their needs. Once ruined by these proposals, Winchester will lose its charm and will also lose money - not so many tourists will want to come and visit these brutalist slabs, so obviously out of harmony with the atmosphere of our beloved city. Our ancestors were determined to preserve Winchester for us and we have a responsibility to preserve Winchester for those who come after us.

I am disabled (my disability is non visible so understandably I get no help at street bus stops) and strongly feel that Winchester needs a bus station. It is very convenient to change buses without walking very far at a bus station - to be able to sit in peace and shelter while waiting. Street stops have insufficient seats and you get cold and wet most days in winter. The bus station also is naturally supervised at a low level by staff passing through, so it feels safe if you are at all vulnerable..
Above all, shelters on the streets are ugly and ruin the nationally important historic views of our streets and buildings. I implore City Councillors to remember that they represent local residents and meet their needs.
Once ruined by these proposals, Winchester will lose its charm and will also lose money - not so many tourists will want to come and visit these brutalist slabs, so obviously out of harmony with the atmosphere of our beloved city. Our ancestors were determined to preserve Winchester for us and we have a responsibility to preserve Winchester for those who come after us.Wreyland

I am disabled (my disability is non visible so understandably I get no help at street bus stops) and strongly feel that Winchester needs a bus station. It is very convenient to change buses without walking very far at a bus station - to be able to sit in peace and shelter while waiting. Street stops have insufficient seats and you get cold and wet most days in winter. The bus station also is naturally supervised at a low level by staff passing through, so it feels safe if you are at all vulnerable.. Above all, shelters on the streets are ugly and ruin the nationally important historic views of our streets and buildings. I implore City Councillors to remember that they represent local residents and meet their needs. Once ruined by these proposals, Winchester will lose its charm and will also lose money - not so many tourists will want to come and visit these brutalist slabs, so obviously out of harmony with the atmosphere of our beloved city. Our ancestors were determined to preserve Winchester for us and we have a responsibility to preserve Winchester for those who come after us.

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